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Crimson flames tied through my ears,
Growin’ high and mighty traps,
Pounced with fire on flaming roads,
Using ideas as my maps.
“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I,
Proud 'neath heated brow -
Ah, but I was so much older then;
I’m younger than that now.
Half—wracked prejudice leaped forth —
“Rip down all hate,” I screamed.
Lies that life is black and white
Spoke from my skull. I dreamed
Romantic facts of musketeers
Foundationed deep, somehow -
Ah, but I was so much older then;
I’m younger than that now.
Girls’ faces formed the forward path
From phony jealousy
To memorizing politics
Of ancient history
Flung down by corpse evangelists
Unthought of, though, somehow -
Ah, but I was so much older then;
I’m younger than that now.
A self-ordained professor’s tongue
Too serious to fool
Spouted out that liberty
Is just equality in school.
“Equality”: I spoke the word
As if a wedding vow -
Ah, but I was so much older then;
I’m younger than that now.
In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach -
Fearing not I’d become my enemy
In the instant that I preach -
My existence led by confusion boats:
Mutiny from stern to bow -
Ah, but I was so much older then;
I’m younger than that now.
Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect.
Good and bad, I define these terms -
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow -
Ah, but I was so much older then;
I’m younger than that now.
(1964)
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